Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > Club and Speciality Forums > Forum Community Car Clubs > AU Falcon.com.au

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 14-06-2008, 02:30 PM   #1
hawke
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
hawke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 524
Default AU Power Steering Switch removal

Does anyone know how to remove this sucker. Its leaking, and there appears to be no way known that I can get a spanner onto the underside of the switch to remove it.

Please dont tell me that I have to remove the rack to get to the switch.

hawke is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2008, 03:20 PM   #2
Stav
Smile
 
Stav's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Merrylands Sydney
Posts: 8,542
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Always ready to help others over the years on AFF with advice and tips along the way 
Default

Ive done a few on my car. Man be prepared to put some time in. you need to try with a spanner.Then if that doesnt work pull out the multigrips.The mutigrips takes ages but youll get it in the end.
__________________
Stingray Car Security ph 0414445444

Single din radio fascias for fg to fgx fords Australia wide .

FG 1 2 and 3 gauge holder in stock now! https://stingraycar.com.au/shop/
Site Sponsor See Sponsor Stingray Car Security 😍👌✌

AU wagon 6 14.241@96.75 1/4 mile sold.Octane fg xr6 turbo!! 12.312 112.21 mph home tune f6 injectors gone ..now in nitro fgxr6t ready to go again
Stav is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2008, 04:15 PM   #3
hawke
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
hawke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 524
Default

Thanks Stav, but I dropped the rack off and found I was able to get at it.

I've just installed a two post lift in my new garage, and it makes life so much easier. It ended up taking about 15 minutes when you can stand up under the car.
hawke is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2008, 04:35 PM   #4
Stav
Smile
 
Stav's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Merrylands Sydney
Posts: 8,542
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Always ready to help others over the years on AFF with advice and tips along the way 
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hawke
Thanks Stav, but I dropped the rack off and found I was able to get at it.

I've just installed a two post lift in my new garage, and it makes life so much easier. It ended up taking about 15 minutes when you can stand up under the car.
Gotta love happy endings
__________________
Stingray Car Security ph 0414445444

Single din radio fascias for fg to fgx fords Australia wide .

FG 1 2 and 3 gauge holder in stock now! https://stingraycar.com.au/shop/
Site Sponsor See Sponsor Stingray Car Security 😍👌✌

AU wagon 6 14.241@96.75 1/4 mile sold.Octane fg xr6 turbo!! 12.312 112.21 mph home tune f6 injectors gone ..now in nitro fgxr6t ready to go again
Stav is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-06-2008, 05:53 PM   #5
XR6Stu
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Victoria!
Posts: 349
Default

I wish i had a hoist in my garage instead of theo ne at work. I heated up a spanner and bent it into the shape required so it just bent around, and left the rack in.
XR6Stu is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2008, 09:25 AM   #6
hawke
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
hawke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 524
Default

Considering all the money we spend on cars, the $3,500 for the lift was the best I ever spent.
hawke is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
This user likes this post:
Old 15-06-2008, 11:53 AM   #7
XR6Stu
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Victoria!
Posts: 349
Default

Yeah ive been trying to convinve my old man to get one in the shed, he is retired, with way too much time and money on his hands! But im thinking if he has a lift, he has no way of falling asleep on the creeper under the car...
XR6Stu is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-06-2008, 11:11 PM   #8
Jastel
Donating Member
Donating Member1
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,430
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has much experience with taxis and always jumps on here to explain things simply and help out the new guys in B-series and Contemporary... 
Default

Bend a spanner at 90 degrees (approx) so you can get it, turn the handle of bent spanner with another spanner
Loosen the main rack nuts helps sometimes too

Always a pain of a job
Jastel is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 16-06-2008, 10:26 AM   #9
BillC
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Townsville
Posts: 257
Default

I had some old push bike spanners (about 1 mm thick) so I just bent that to the perfect shape and it worked like a dream.
BillC is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 16-06-2008, 06:42 PM   #10
Jastel
Donating Member
Donating Member1
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,430
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has much experience with taxis and always jumps on here to explain things simply and help out the new guys in B-series and Contemporary... 
Default

I used some of them for a while until they snapped, so I made my proper one then. At least they fixed this on the BA. Easy to get at but have never needed to change one either.... Go figure
Jastel is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-03-2013, 03:36 PM   #11
Crazy Dazz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 4,883
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

FMD
How can such a simple thing cause so many problems? Thus look at the number of threads on this subject?
HOW am I supposed to get this sucker out?
Even if I wanted to butcher a spanner, I don’t have a bench grinder, nor a torch & vice to bend it. Tried multi-grips, but I just can’t get enough purchase.
Like most, ours is leaking around the wires. Is there any way I can simply glue that end up?
Crazy Dazz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-03-2013, 06:56 PM   #12
rmack
Regular Member
 
rmack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 454
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Glue will not hold. You can cut the spanner with a hacksaw. To get mine out required the usual blood sacrifice but it can be done.
__________________
BUILD AU II FAIRMONT GHIA
HERS
AU II Fairmont Ghia
7" DVD/GPS Radio
19" Wheels

HIS
FG XR8 Ute
Lux Pack
Tech Pack
Touch Screen GPS
rmack is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-03-2013, 08:19 PM   #13
Evgeni
Auto Nerd
 
Evgeni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 808
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: In recognition of the many hours spent scanning information for the benefit of AFF members. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Have you tried with a pipe wrench - it will offer more grip than a set of multi grips.

I would also have a go with a crows foot.

I've always just had the rack out, replacing other bits, so never done it in car, but they would be the options I would go for.


Last edited by Evgeni; 29-03-2013 at 08:26 PM.
Evgeni is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-03-2013, 03:22 AM   #14
robertjp
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

I used an grinder to grind away the excess metal from a spanner. Works great
robertjp is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-03-2013, 02:15 PM   #15
Crazy Dazz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 4,883
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Ok, multi-grips do not work. Pretty sure I just destroyed the switch in the donor car. 
Have stuck some glue in it for now. Might slow the leak but won’t hold under pressure, so nowhere near fixed.

The crowsfoot looks like an option?
Crazy Dazz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-03-2013, 04:19 PM   #16
Evgeni
Auto Nerd
 
Evgeni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 808
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: In recognition of the many hours spent scanning information for the benefit of AFF members. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz View Post
Ok, multi-grips do not work. Pretty sure I just destroyed the switch in the donor car. 
Have stuck some glue in it for now. Might slow the leak but won’t hold under pressure, so nowhere near fixed.

The crowsfoot looks like an option?
I've seen a set of those crowsfoot wrenches at Supercheap for about $20. Perfect of you are just doing the one switch.
Otherwise you can go to a good quality tool store - cant remember the size, but a single crowsfoot wrench is around $20 for a good quality one. Just stick a 3/8 extension onto it and I reckon it wont give you anymore trouble.
Evgeni is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 02-04-2013, 09:05 PM   #17
philbec15
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 32
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

had an old wrench and cut the end off... welded a short 3/8 drive extension on the angle required ....cut off the excess metal on the sides of the wrench and have the perfect tool takes about 5 mins and jobs done...special tool number one...i have 4 au's to keep on tthe road so its worth while fiddling with job specific tools
philbec15 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 03-04-2013, 01:06 AM   #18
Crazy Dazz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 4,883
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by philbec15 View Post
had an old wrench and cut the end off... welded a short 3/8 drive extension on the angle required ....cut off the excess metal on the sides of the wrench and have the perfect tool takes about 5 mins and jobs done...special tool number one...i have 4 au's to keep on tthe road so its worth while fiddling with job specific tools
Quote:
Originally Posted by robertjp
I used an grinder to grind away the excess metal from a spanner. Works great
Can anyone post pictures of what their spanner looks like after they have modified it?
I'm not against buying a cheap spanner and modifying it, but I don't really understand what needs to ground down?
Would a crows foot work, or would that need to be ground down also?
Crazy Dazz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
This user likes this post:
Old 03-04-2013, 05:20 PM   #19
Crazy Dazz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 4,883
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Alternatively,
How hard is it to drop the whole rack, or could I get accss by just removing the steeringcolumn link?
Crazy Dazz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 03-04-2013, 06:36 PM   #20
Evgeni
Auto Nerd
 
Evgeni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 808
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: In recognition of the many hours spent scanning information for the benefit of AFF members. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

The crows foot was made for tight spots like this or for attaching onto the end of torque wrenches. You would just put an extension arm on it and then attach your ratchet.

Getting the rack out -
Remove fluid lines from rack and drain the system.
Loosen the 2x14mm bolts on the exhaust manifold.
Remove anti roll bar
Undo tie rod ends 18mm and use a puller or dead hammer blow to release the tie rod ball joint.
Lock steering and take a measurement from a fixed point on the rack to the tie rod.
Remove the two bolts holding the intermediate shaft on and pry it off the pinion.
Remove two 19mm bolts holding the rack on and then you can get to the power steering switch.
Evgeni is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-04-2013, 12:19 AM   #21
aussiblue
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Donating Member3
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 22,296
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has been floating around the oze tech section for a long time and is always there to give advice when people have an issue. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Note:

a) it is much easier to get to the switch from underneath with the right front wheel removed; and
b) that the switches come with different sized hex's so usually the aftermarket replacement ones require a different sized spanner than the OEM Ford ones which means using the new switch to determine the spanner size will not always work; and
c) Metrinch spanners work well for their removal.
__________________
regards Blue
aussiblue is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-04-2013, 03:34 PM   #22
aussiblue
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Donating Member3
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 22,296
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has been floating around the oze tech section for a long time and is always there to give advice when people have an issue. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Note also that the buna rubber and nitrile "o" rings supplied with most swiches are not hydraulic fluid resistant and turn to mush after a few months. You need polyacrylate "o" rings but I can't find a supplier so I am currently experimenting with some Loctite hydraulic sealant products.
__________________
regards Blue
aussiblue is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-04-2013, 03:38 PM   #23
philbec15
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 32
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

in regards to the "o" rings ..check with a hydraulic specialist..eg enzed or pirtek they would have heavy duty o rings..
philbec15 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-04-2013, 04:30 PM   #24
*rayman*
454 Power
 
*rayman*'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Townsville, NQ
Posts: 1,028
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

I did this job a couple of weekends ago.

Spent an hour or so getting no where with various different spanners. Ended up finding a cheap spanner and ground the edges down to make it a slim profile. Job done in 5 minutes after that.
__________________
DAILY - 00 75th Anniversary Futura

TOY - 68 SS 454 Camaro
*rayman* is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 04-04-2013, 06:54 PM   #25
aussiblue
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Donating Member3
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 22,296
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has been floating around the oze tech section for a long time and is always there to give advice when people have an issue. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Hmm the brown Vitan O ring I got from a hydraulic place has failed too.
__________________
regards Blue
aussiblue is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 05-04-2013, 01:46 AM   #26
aussiblue
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Donating Member3
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 22,296
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has been floating around the oze tech section for a long time and is always there to give advice when people have an issue. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Hopefully the Loctite Hydraulic Sealant 54294 will have fixed it. If not, next stop might be a $100 Kalrez Spectrum 75 "O" ring.
__________________
regards Blue
aussiblue is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-04-2013, 10:02 AM   #27
peterljohnson55
Regular Member
 
peterljohnson55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 234
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

Had mine done commercially by a mechanic .....

INVOICE. November 2012:
Supply and fit power steer rack switch, o-ring and p/s oil.
Parts $100.30;
labour $50.00; (Abt 1/2 hour at this value, I figure)
GST $15.03.

TOTAL = $165.33
__________________
~~~~~~~~~
-- Ford Fairmont Ghia AU2, 3/2001, Tickford 4.0 I6, 12v SOHC VCT MPFI, sedan with IRS standard suspension --
----- ANJ is a practical beast, but still a lady, that I want to keep alive until at least2021 -----
-------- Preventative Maintenance Policy --------
peterljohnson55 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-04-2013, 02:06 PM   #28
aussiblue
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Donating Member3
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 22,296
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Has been floating around the oze tech section for a long time and is always there to give advice when people have an issue. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

The Loctite 542 sealant seems to be doing the job.
__________________
regards Blue
aussiblue is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-04-2013, 02:05 AM   #29
Crazy Dazz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 4,883
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

[WIKI][/WIKI]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evgeni View Post
I've seen a set of those crowsfoot wrenches at Supercheap for about $20. Perfect of you are just doing the one switch.
Otherwise you can go to a good quality tool store - cant remember the size, but a single crowsfoot wrench is around $20 for a good quality one. Just stick a 3/8 extension onto it and I reckon it wont give you anymore trouble.
Looked at the SCA ones, clearly designed by an idiot. They are semi-closed, might as well be ring-spanners, no way to get them onto the nut.
__________________
2024
Time to Make the Hippies Cry Again
Crazy Dazz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-04-2013, 07:58 AM   #30
Evgeni
Auto Nerd
 
Evgeni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 808
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: In recognition of the many hours spent scanning information for the benefit of AFF members. 
Default Re: AU Power Steering Switch removal

OK - they are flared.

http://www.transquip.com.au/products...anner-Set.html

Here is a set from KC which are open ended.
Otherwise it is about 45min to drop the rack.
Evgeni is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 10:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL